Editorial
Front Page - Friday, December 4, 2009
Make this holiday shopping season convenient and rewarding
David Laprad
The holiday season is traditionally a time to kick back with family and friends, but many last-minute shoppers miss out on the chance to relax and enjoy the spirit of the season. With just 21 days left until Christmas, time will pass quickly. These 12 tips, however, can make your holiday shopping experience more enjoyable.
1. Shop early.
Beating the holiday shopping rush is the key to less stress and better gifts, says Catharine Pangratz, group marketing director for CBL & Associates Properties, owners of Hamilton Place in Chattanooga. “The number one thing I do is get my shopping done as early as possible. If I’m done by December 15, I’m excited.”
2. Take your shopping list to the next level.
Before hitting stores, do more than write out a list of ideas: take the time to jot down clothing sizes, color preferences, children’s ages and other helpful hints. This will not only reduce the time you spend shopping but also eliminate hasty choices.
3. Use the buddy system.
If possible, take someone with you, as a shopping partner can share gift ideas and help make color and size decisions. Do not, however, take the person for whom you’re shopping.
4. Shop during off-peak hours.
Shop during the week and early in the day, when there are fewer people in stores. Doing so means smaller crowds, faster service and more time to browse when making gift selections. Many stores, including Hamilton Place, open earlier and close later during the holiday shopping season.
5. Plan your shopping trip in detail.
Knowing what you want to purchase and where to find it is half the battle, so map out your trip in advance. If you want to shop at Hamilton Place, first visit www.hamiltonplace.com, where you can find a list of retailers and download a mall directory to see where stores are located. This will allow you to plan your stops for maximum efficiency.
If you hit Hamilton Place without having hopped online, the mall is equipped to help you gather your bearings before diving in. “Stop at our tourist information center, pick up a directory and a coupon book, and then take everything down to Barnie’s, where you can have a cup of coffee while you look through the coupons,” says Pangratz. “Then use the directory to map out where you want to go so you’re not crisscrossing back and forth all day.”
The tourist information center at Hamilton Place is located near the Piccadilly entrance.
6. Go on multiple shopping trips rather than an all-day shopping marathon.
This requires even more planning, but you can preserve strength, stamina and sanity by separating your trips to purchase gifts for children and adults.
7. Save, save, save.
Even though people tend to spend more money during the holiday shopping season than at any other time of the year, savings is still a popular activity during Christmas. To that end, the Hamilton Place coupon book offers 72 pages of retailer discounts.
8. Don’t overspend.
It’s tempting to go all out during the holidays, but nothing can push your stress meter past its limits quicker than pushing your credit past its limits (including a visit from an unwelcome in-law.) So create and stick to a budget. “Know how much you can spend and stay within your limits,” Pangratz says.
9. Don’t forget the gift receipt and gift wrapping.
To ensure the recipient can return or exchange an item, make sure the sales associate includes a receipt with your purchase. And if you take advantage of The Kids on the Block gift wrapping service, to be available at Hamilton Place from Dec. 10-24, all you’ll need to do once you get home is slip the present under the tree. (The Kids on the Block is a nonprofit organization that uses puppets to teach children about disabilities, medical conditions and social issues.)
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or directions.
To make room for holiday merchandise, stores sometimes reconfigure departments or sections. Rather than waste time exploring a new layout, ask a sales associate for assistance.
11. Keep it simple: buy a gift card.
Gift cards are great for teachers, secretaries and the hardest to please people on your list, as they eliminate the guesswork. CBL Select Gift Cards are available at the tourist information center at Hamilton Place, and allow recipients to shop just about anywhere American Express is accepted.
12. Put safety first.
Know where you place your credit card or checkbook after a purchase; don’t keep large amounts of cash in your wallet or purse; and when taking purchases to your car, lock them out of sight in the trunk rather than leaving them exposed in the back seat.
Following these tips should reduce the stress of this holiday shopping season. As for visits from
unwelcome in-laws, you’re on your own.
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